Creator defends BBC show accused of stereotyping Muslims

Creator defends BBC show accused of stereotyping Muslims

From online dispatches

BBC photo

A BBC TV show depicting the life of a British Muslim family has precipitated an outpouring of complaints by viewers offended by the portrayal of Muslims, but the show’s creator has defended his work, saying it is a "British family sitcom" and not "a Muslim comedy."

"It is family comedy with universal themes of hypocrisy, deceit, and relationships that we can all connect to," said Adil Ray, the show’s creator and a British Muslim himself, according to the Daily Mail.

At least 700 complaints were made to the BBC following the first airing of "Citizen Khan" on Aug. 27, and the U.K. authority of communications, Ofcom, has launched an inquiry into the show.

The series follows the Muslim Mr. Khan who is described by the Daily Mail as "a delusional, self-appointed community leader in the Sparkhill area of Birmingham."

Viewers were reportedly upset at the portrayal of both Khan and the other members of his family. Viewers were especially upset by a particular scene that showed Khan's daughter in heavy makeup quickly covering up when her dad walks into the room and pretending to read the Quran.

The BBC said 3.6 million viewers tuned in to watch the series’ premiere.